Moving from Palmdale, CA to Clovis, CA
The 210 mi from Palmdale to Clovis translate to about 4h 5m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
210 mi · 4h 5m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, CA 58 BUS, CA 14 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palmdale | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Clovis is 10.0% cheaper than Palmdale overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Palmdale and Clovis are within 5% of each other ($501,257 vs $521,708 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Palmdale -1.3%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Palmdale | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.3" | 11.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Palmdale (63.6°F) and Clovis (65.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Clovis gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PALMDALE, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palmdale | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 165,487 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $81,151 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.56 | 2.99 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.0% between Palmdale and Clovis (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clovis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Clovis average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Clovis sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Clovis, CA from Palmdale, CA?
The driving distance is 210 mi and the route typically takes 4h 5m via CA 99 and CA 58 BUS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Palmdale vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $81,151 in Palmdale — a 23.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Clovis more expensive than Palmdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 10.0% lower than Palmdale (102.158 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Palmdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $501,257 in Palmdale — a 4.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palmdale to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 210 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Palmdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Palmdale and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 63.6°F in Palmdale (1.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 7.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palmdale.
City profiles: Palmdale, CA · Clovis, CA.